Method and apparatus for binding packets of sheet material

ABSTRACT

A PACKET OF SHEETS HAVING SPACED PERFORATIONS ADJACENT ONE EDGE ARE BOUND WHILE THE PACKET IS FED ALONG A PREDETERMINED PATH BY SUCCESSIVELY INSERTING A PLURALITY OF STRIPS OF BINDING ELEMENTS INTO THE PERFORATIONS. EACH BINDING STRIP IS FED BY A DRIVE SYSTEM INCLUDING A HIGH SPEED ELECTRICAL CLUTCH-BRAKE UNIT WHICH IS CONTROLLED BY A CIRCUIT INCLUDING A PHOTOCELL FOR SENSING PERFORATIONS WITHIN THE PACKET AND A PHOTOCELL ACTUATED COUNTER FOR COUNTING THE BINDING ELEMENTS.

Jan. 19, 1971 P. E. SEABORN METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BINDING PACKETS OFSHEET MATERIAL 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 12,1968

PAUL E. SEABORN A TTOR/VEYS Jan. 19, 1971 P. E. SEABORN 3,555,587

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BINDING PACKETS OF SHEET MATERIAL Filed Nov.12, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG-5 t Y ST @FC T2 i I W} 7 T3 L2- L F2 s2 C|-Ll C6 BR BRAKE 2K3 02 40L CLUTCH N ll I HI1ZIJCIO R7 '3 R5 3? 0-H LE 3555,587 METHOD AND APIARATUS FOR BINDING PACKETS OF SHEET MATERIAL PaulE. Seaborn, Los Gatos, Califi, assignor to Westab Inc., Dayton, Ohio,a'corporation of Ohio Filed Nov. 12, 1968, Ser. No. 774,984 Int. Cl.B42c 19/08 US. Cl. 11-1 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A packet ofsheets having spaced perforations adjacent one edge are bound while thepacket is fed along a predetermined path by successively inserting aplurality of strips of binding elements into the perforations. Eachbinding strip is fed by a drive system including a high speed electricalclutch-brake unit which is controlled by a circuit including a photocellfor sensing perforations within the packet and a photocell actuatedcounter for counting the binding elements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION cells which sense the leading and trailingedges of the packet. Thus to provide precise alignment between theperforations in each packet and the prongs of its binding ship, it isnecessary to have precise predetermined spacing between the leading edgeof the packet and the first perforation and also for the binding stripto be fed in precise time relation with the feed of the packet.

It has been found that during the production of the packets, thelocation of the perforations relative to the leading edge of the packetwill frequently vary so that it is diffioult to obtain registration oralignment between the prongs of the binding strip and the spacedperforations. Furthermore, it has been found difiicult to control theintermittent feeding of the binding strips in timed relation with thespacing and feeding of the packets in order to obtain a high speed,accurate and efficient binding operation,

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to animproved method and apparatus for successively binding books or packetsof perforated sheets in order to obtain a high speed, dependable andeflicient binding operation. In accordance with a preferred embodimentof the invention, the packets are successively conveyed at apredetermined constant speed along an inclined supporting surface. Awire binding strip having longitudinally spaced looped prongs issupplied in a continuous length from a spool and is cut "United StatesPatent adjacent one edge.

spaced slots corresponding to the spacing between the looped prongs andis rotated so that its peripheral speed is the same as the belt speed.Another photocell and counter system counts the slots for indicating theprecise movement of the binding strips. The photocells are connected ina circuit which controls the precise alternating operation of theclutch-brake unit which is provided with momentary surges of a highvoltage power to provide rapid starting and stopping of the belt whichfeed the binding strips In addition to providing a high speed bindingoperation, the present invention provides for eificiently binding eachpacket with a plurality of binding strips spaced at predeterminedintervals along the perforated edge portion of the packet. That is, thephotocell system for sensing the perforations and for sensing the feedof the binding strip enables a plurality of short binding strips to besuccessively fed into corresponding groups of perforations spaced atintervals along one edge of each packet. This results in the totallength of the strip material for binding each packet and thereby reducesthe binding cost for each packet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary and somewhatdiagrammatic perspective view of binding apparatus constructed inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of a portion of the apparatus shownin FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the final step of the bindingoperation;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a book or packet bound in accordancewith the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic electrical wiring diagram of the control circuitfor operating the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE- PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, theapparatus includes an elongated base having a longitudinally extendinginclined top surface 12 which slopes laterally downwardly to alongitudinally extending guide rail 14. A conveyor 15 includes aplurality of parallel spaced endless chains 16 which extendlongitudinally below the surface 12, and each chain 16 carries aplurality of spaced flights 17 each being laterally aligned with acorresponding flight on an adjacent chain.

The conveyor 15 is driven at a predetermined constant speed and servesto deliver a series of books or packets 20 along the surface 12 insuccessively spaced relation and in a direction toward the right asindicated-by the arrow shown in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 4,'eac'hpacket 20 includes a pair of cover sheets: 22 and a plurality ofintermediate paper sheets 24. A row of three spaced groups ofperforations 25 is formed within each packet A coil 28 (FIG. 1) of acontinuous length of open wire binding strip 30 is supported. abovethe'surface 12 by a spool 31 mounted on a shaft 32 rotatably supportedby a post 34 secured to the base 10. The spool 31 is intermittentlydriven by a motor 315 through a belt'drive 36. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4and in the above-Pigna et al. patent, the open wire binding strip 30*hasa generally C-shaped cross-sectional configuration-and is formed byintegrally connected and parallel spaced looped prongs 40. The bindingstrip is covered by a tape 42 when the strip is Wound on the spool 31 toprevent entanglement or interlocking of the prongs 40. The tape 42 isreleased from the strip 30 by directing the strip and tape between apair of counter-rotating brushes 45 which are supported by a bracketmounted on the post 34 and are driven by a motor 47. After the tape 42is released from the binding strip 30, the tape is separated and woundon a spool 48 driven by a motor 49.

The wire binding strip 30 supplied from the coil 28 is cut intopredetermined lengths which are successively fed into engagement withthe packets 20 by a mechanism supported by a slightly inclined plate 56secured to the base 10. The mechanism 55 includes an electromegneticclutch-brake unit 60 (FIG. 2) [which is supported bet-ween parallelspaced flanges 61 of a U-shaped bracket 62 secured to the plate 56. Theclutch-brake unit 60 includes an input shaft 64 (FIG. 1) and an outputshaft 65 (FIG. \2) which supports a pulley 66. An endless flexible belthaving inner and outer laterally extending teeth 71, is directed aroundthe pulley 66 and a similar pulley 72 supported by an arm 74 secured tothe main support plate .56. The pulley 72 is positioned above the pulley66 so that the belt 70 has a lower run which extends adjacent a slopingguide rod 75 (FIG. 2) supported by the arm 71 for receiving the wirebinding strip 30 extending from the spool 31.

-An air cylinder 78 is mounted on the support arm 74 and actuates acutoff tool (not shown) which cuts the wire binding strip 30- into shortsections or strips 80 each having a predetermined number of prongs 40corresponding to the number of perforations 25 in each group within thepacket 20. A disk is also mounted on the output shaft '65 of theclutch-brake unit 60 and has a plurality of peripheral slots '86 (FIG.5) which are spaced in corresponding relation to the spacing of theprongs 40 on the wire binding strip 30. A photocel 88 is supportedadjacent the disk 85 by a bracket 89 secured to the bracket 62, and ispositioned to detect the sots 86 as the disk 85 is rotated.

The input shaft 64 for the cutch-brake unit 60 is driven at a continuouspredetermined speed by a motor (not shown) positioned under the plate 56and connected to the shaft 64 by a positive belt drive 92. The motor isalso connected by a belt drive 94 (FIG. 2) to a series of three shafts95 each rotatably supported by a bracket 96 secured to a verticallyadjustable L-shaped arm 97 (FIG. 1). A resilient roller 100 is mountedon each shaft 95, and the three rollers are positioned in longitudinalalignment with the belt 70. The rollers 100 are arranged so that aftereach Wire binding strip 80 is fed into engagement with a packet 20 withthe prongs 40 in alignment with the correspondingly aligned perforations25, the rollers 100 press the strip 80 downwardly causing the prongs 40to extend through the perforations 25.

As each packet '20 advances beyond the rollers 100, the binding strips'80 on each packet 20 engage an elongated rail 102 (FIG. 2) having alongitudinally extending helical slot (not shown) which rotates eachsection 80 by approximately 90 in a manner similar to that shown in theabove Pigna et al. patent. As each packet 20 travels further down thesurface 12, it arrives at a closing station where an upper press member105 (FIG. 3) is reciprocated in relation to a lower press member 106 toclose each binding strip 80 to the position illustrated by the dottedlines in FiIG. 3.

Referring to the schematic wiring diagram of FIG. 5 showing a preferredelectrical control system for the mechanism 55, a transformer T1converts the main power supply of 220 volt AC to 110 volt AC which issupplied to lines L1 and L2 through a main control switch S1 and a fuseF1. A pilot lamp PL serves as an indicator when lines L1 and L2 areenergized.

A transformer T2 provides a 7 volt AC power supply to a bridge rectifiersystem B1 which supplies 7 volt DC power across lines L1 and L3connected through a fuse F2, a switch S2 and a capacitor C1. Atransformer T3 provides a 35 volt AC power supply to a bridge rectifiersystem B2 which supplies 35 volt DC power across lines L1 and L4connected through a fuse F3 and a capacitor C2.

A variable transformer T4 supplies a low voltage power supply to a lampLP which is located directly under a photocell P1 encased within atranslucent plastic housing having a cylindrical upper end portion 122which projects upwardly through a hole formed within the surface 12(\FIG. 2 directly under the drive pulley 66 for the feed belt 70. Theplastic housing 120 directs the light from the lamp LP upwardly aroundthe photocell P1. When the leading edge of the packet 2'0 advancesacross the upper end portion 122 of the housing 120', the light from thelamp LP is reflected to the top sensitive end of the photocell P1.However, when a perforation 25 passes over the upper end portion 122 ofthe housing 120, there is no reflection of the light to the photocellP1. This sequence of actuation of the photocell P1 produces signalswhich are amplified by an amplifier A1 to energize a preset counter 125FIGS. l and 5). The output signal from the amplifier A1 triggers atransistor TR1 which energizes a relay K1 connected to the transistorTR1 through a manual control switch S3.

Energization of relay K1 closes its normally open contacts 1K1 toecharge a capacitor C3 within a line 126 connected across the line L1and a line L5 connected to the counter 125. When a perforation 25 withina packet 20 passes over the photocell P1, there is no reflective lightwhich enters the photocell P1, and the voltage applied to relay K1 dropsto a level which deenergizes relay K1 so that its normally closedcontacts 2K1 will close causing the capacitor C3, which was charged to alevel of 15 volts, to energize a relay K2. Normally open contacts 1K2 ofrelay K2 are closed thereby energizing relays K3, K4 and K5. Thenormally open contacts 1K4 of relay K4 hold the relays K3, K4 and K5 inan energized condition.

Energizing relay K3 opens the normally closed contacts 2K3 therebyopening the line to the brake solenoid BR so that the output shaft 65 isfree to rotate. Simultaneous energizing of relay K5 causes the normallyopen contact 1K5 to close and the normally closed contacts 2K5 to openthereby supplying two voltages to the clutch solenoid CL. The firstvoltage is at a level of 35 volts DC and is supplied from a capacitor C4which is charged when contacts 2K5 were closed. This high voltageproduces rapid acceleration of the clutch 58 so that each wire bindingsection 80 is quickly fed into engagement with the packet 20 being fedover the photocell P1. When the clutch solenoid CL is energized, thebinding strips 80 start to feed and the charge on the capacitor C4 dropsto its normal supply voltage of 7 volts.

When a binding strip 80 starts to feed, the photocell 88 begins countingthe slots 86 Within the disk 85 thereby counting the number of loopedprongs 40' which feed into engagement with the perforations 25. Eachcount registers on the counter 125, and after a present count isreached, a relay K6 is energized by the counter 125. When normallyclosed contacts 2K6 open, the relays K2, K3, K4 and K5 are deenergizedthereby opening the circuit to the clutch solenoid CL by openingcontacts 1K5 and energizing brake solenoid BR through its normallyclosed contacts 2K3. Capacitor C5 provides an initial high voltage of 35volts to the brake solenoid BR to effect quick actuation of the brake 60after which the voltage to the brake solenoid BR drops to its normallevel of 7 volts.

When relay K6 is energized, its normally open contacts 1K6 close toenergize a relay K7, thereby closing normally open contacts 1K7 toenergize a solenoid air valve CAV for actuating the cutoff air cylinder78 which, as mentioned above, cuts the wire binding strip 30 into thesections 80 having a predetermined number of looped prongs 40. A manualcontrol switch. S4 is arranged in parallel with contacts 1K6, and amanually operated reset switch RS provides for resetting the counter125. Diodes D1 and D2 serve to isolate the higher voltage power in lineL4 from the lower voltage power in line L3, and diodes D3 and D4 serveto dissipate the energy in the brake coil BR and the clutch coil CL whenthey are deenergizedl l The preferred values of the capacitor C1C10 (inmid.) and of the resistors Rl-R13 (in ohms) are as follows:

Capacitors, volts: Resistors:

C1, 500/50 R1, 1,000 C2, 500/50 R2, 1 C3, .1/200 R3, 1 C4, .1/200 R4, 1C5, .1/200 R5, 1 C6, .1/200 R6, 25 C7, 3600/150 R7, 25 C8, 3600/150 R8,300 C9, .1/200 R9, 1.5 C10, .1/200 R10, 1,000

R11, 1,000 R12, 27 R13, 270

From the drawings and the above description, it is apparent that themethod and apparatus of the invention provide desirable features andadvantages. For example, by providing the clutch-brake unit 60 in thedrive for the binding strip feed belt 70 and by controlling the clutchand brake solenoids with the control system (FIG. 5) including thephotocell P1 which senses the perforations 25 in each packet 20, thebinding strip sections 80 are quickly fed into engagement with eachpacket 20 with the looped prongs 40 in precise alignment or registrationwith the perforations 25. It has been found that the apparatus shown inthe drawings is capable of binding packets at a rate of at least sixtypackets a minute or one packet per second. Furthermore, the combinationof the photocell system for sensing the perforations 25 within eachpacket 20 and the system for counting the prongs 40 enables a pluralityof binding strip sections 80 to be fed successively into engagement witheach packet 20 at spaced intervals along the perforated edge so that theoverall cost of binding each packet is significantly reduced.

The actuation of the clutch-brake unit 60 as described in conjunctionwith FIG. 5 also provides an important feature of the invention. Thatis, the initial supply of a higher voltage to the clutch and brake whenthey are alternately energized, rovides for rapid starting and stoppingof the feed 0? the wire binding strip 30 within a time period of .005second. As a result, each binding strip section 80 is maintained inprecise registration with the corresponding perforations 25 of a packet20 passing over the photocell P1.

While the method and form of apparatus herein described constitutepreferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that theinvention is not limited to this precise method and form of apparatus,and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope ofthe invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for binding a succession of packets each having a pluralityof sheets with spaced perforations adjacent one edge, comprising meansfor feeding each packet along a predetermined path in a directionparallel to said edge, means for sensing the position of each packet,means for feeding a plurality of elongated strips of binding elementsinto engagement with said perforations of each packet at spacedintervals along said edge while said packet is progressing along saidpath, and control means for operating said feeding means in response toactuation of said sensing means.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for feeding eachsaid strip of binding elements includes an electric clutch and anelectric. brake, and means for quickly energizing said clutch and saidbrake in an alternating manner.

. 3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said clutch and said brakeare each normally operated at a predetermined voltage, and means formomentarily supplying a higher voltage to saidclutch and said brake toeffect rapid initial actuation of said clutch and said brake.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including means for counting thebinding elements of each strip as it is fed into engagement with apacket, and means connecting said counting means to said control meansto effect stopping of said feeding means after a predetermined number ofbinding elements have engaged the packet to cause binding of each packetwith a plurality of binding strips spaced at intervals along said edge.

5. Apparatus for binding a succession of packets each having a pluralityof sheets with spaced perforations adjacent one edge, comprising means:for feeding each packet along a predetermined path in a directionparallel to said edge, means for sensing the leading perforation withineach packet, means for feeding a strip of binding elements intoengagement with said perforations of each packet as it is fed along saidpath, means for counting the number of binding elements While feedingthe strip, and control means for operating said feeding means inresponse to actuation of said sensing means and in accordance with apredetermined counted number of binding elements.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said means for sensing theleading perforation within each packet comprises a photocell, a lightsource, and means for positioning said photocell and said light sourceto effect intermittent actuation of said photocell in response tomovement of said perforations along said path.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 including means for positioning saidlight source and said photocell adjacent said path, and means arrangingsaid light source and said photocell to effect reflection by each packetof the light from said light source to said photocell in the absence ofperforations.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein the strip of binding elementsis supplied from a coil supported by a spool and is covered by aprotective tape to prevent interlocking of the binding elements, andincluding a set of rotary brush members positioned to receive thebinding strip therebetween, and. means for rotating each said brushmember in a direction opposite to the feed of the binding strip forreleasing the protective tape from the strip.

9. An improved method of binding a packet of sheets having spacedperforations adjacent one edge, comprising the steps of feeding thepacket along a predetermined path at a substantially constant. speed ina direction parallel to said edge, successively feeding a plurality oflongitudinally spaced elongated strips of binding elements intoengagement with the packet at spaced intervals along said edge While thepacket is progressing along said path, extending said binding elementsof each said strip through the corresponding said perforations as thepacket is fed along said path, and closing said elements of each saidstrip.

10. An improved method of binding a packet of sheets in a directionparallel to said edge, sensing the leading the steps of feeding thepacket along a predetermined path having spaced perforations adjacentone edge, comprising perforation within the packet, feeding an elongatedstrip of binding, elements into engagement with the packet in responseto said sensing of said leading perforation, counting the number ofbinding elements while feeding the strip, controlling the feeding of thestrip in accordance with the counted number of binding elements,extending said binding elements through said perforations as said packetis fed along said path, and closing said elements.

11. A method as defined in claim 10 including the step of successivelyfeeding a plurality of longitudinally spaced strips into engagement witheach said pack while 7 the packet is progressing along said path toeffect binding of each said packet with a plurality of said stripslocated at spaced intervals along said edge.

12. A method as defined in claim 11 including the step of counting thenumber of binding elements whi e feeding each strip, and controlling thefeeding of each strip in accordance with the counted number of bindingelements.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,334,918 8/1967 Pigna et al.l1-1AX 8 7/ 1968 Foley et al 22637X 2/1969 Gabor 22637X FOREIGN PATENTS3/1965 Great Britain 111A US. Cl. X.R.

5.3 3 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3,555 ,587 ated January 19, 1971 Invenmflg) Paul E. Seaborn 1 It iscertified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, line 20 following "in" insert a reductiong'of the Column 3,line 15, "electromagnet" has been misspelled. Column 3, line 40 "sots'fshould be --slots-. Column 4, line 60, "present" should be -preset-.Colunm 6, line 55, "packet" should be -packets--. Column 6, line 10,rewrite the entire claim as follows:

An improved method of binding a packet of sheets having spacedperforations adjacent one edge, comprising the steps of feeding thepacket along a predetermined path in a direction parallel to said edge,sensing the leading perforation within the packet, feeding an elongatedstrip of binding elements into engagement with the packet in response tosaid sensing of said leading perforation, counting the number of bindingelements while feeding the strip, controlling the feeding of the stripin accordance with the counted number of binding elements, extendingsaid binding elements through said perforations as said packet is fedalong said path, and closing said elements.

Signed and sealed this 2L .th day of August 1971.

(SEAL) Attest: Emma M.FLETCHER,JR. WILLIAM E. scaunan, .m. AttestingOfficer Commissioner of Patents

